An update to the state’s Fishery Management Plan, which includes management strategies for a host of species, has been released.
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries’ Fishery Management Plan Update contains information based on data through the year prior and includes stock status, data trends, and research needs, according to a release.
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This year’s update includes a review of southern flounder, which is being overfished based on the latest stock assessment.
The primary focus of the review “is to explore ways to increase recreational access” while maintaining requirements that have been established to rebuild the population, according to the release. This month, the state Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to adopt an amendment to the plan that will evenly split the southern flounder fishery between the recreational and commercial sectors.
The plan also includes updates to kingfishes, red drum, blue crab, spotted seatrout, and eastern oyster and hard clam fisheries.
